Fuel feeding and carbureting mechanism.



J. C. COULOMBE.

FUEL FEEDING AND CARBURETING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8.1915.

Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

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Liquid Supply.

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FUEL FEEDING AND CARBURETING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8.19I5.

1,246,887. 4 Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

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FUEL FEEDING AND CARIBUBETING EIIEUHANISM.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Fatented Novo 2 h, Tlt'lll is Application filedJune 8, 1915. Serial lie. 32,92?.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that T, Josnrn O. Commune, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lowell, in the county of ll/iiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in- Fuel Feeding and Carbureting Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates, generally speaking, to a feeding mechanism for fluids and more particularly to an apparatus designed to be operated under reduced atmospheric or vacuum conditions for feeding fuel to a car'- bureting mechanism, or other liquid dis-' pensers.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple,/compact structure which will he automatic in its action and Will control atmospheric and vacuum pressures with reference to a liquid to be fed.

A further object is to provide a float and valve mechanism actuated through pneumatic changes for controlling the feed of the fuel.

A still further object is to employ a, single valve which will be automatically controlled to determine the degree of atmospheric pressure and vacuum imposed upon the liquid to be fed.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a series of chambers, the intercommunication of "which is controlled by a liquid seal.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the mechanism as applied to a. carbureter and engine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the vacuum feed mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view through the device:

supply tank A.

ity. The feed from the vacuum teed mech= anism to the carburetor is also by gravity.

In the accompanying drawings, the'letter A denotes a supply tank, B, the vacuum feed mechanism, (3, the carbureting mecha nism and D, the manifold of an engine.

The oarhureting mechanism, as illustrated in a very simple form, is of the constant level type having a chamber 1 in which a constant level is provided and which chamber has an over-flow duct or conduit 2 which, through a pipe 3 connects with the main This over-flow pipe 3 car= ries back by gravity any surplus of fuel which is introduced to the chamber 1 of the carburetor and obviously, maintains a constant level in the chamber l and appurtenant' parts, eliminating the necessity for a float feed. I

Of course, it is obvious that in using this over-flow system, the size of the aperture 2 must be of proper dimension so that the over-flow opening 2 will carry ed the surplus fuel when the engine is using a mini mum amount. This, of course,.must be accomplished Without appreciably changing the level in the chamber 1.

. Thefcarhureterfi is fed from the vacuum feeding device through a pipe 4 and the vacuum feeding device receives its supply of fuel from the tank A through a pipe 5.

The vacuum feeding device is also connected through a pipe 6 with the manifold D of the engine so that the reduced atmospheric I pressure of the manifold may be utilized in the operation of the vacuum teed mechanism B.

The vacuum feed mechanism, as illustrated, consists of a substantially cylindrical casing having a head 7 and a bottom 8, the latter secured Within a tubular member 9. The head 7 is provided with an annular grooge 10 within which fits the tubular casmg This tubular casing has within it an upper suction chamber 11 and a lower distributing chamber 12 separated by a plate 13 which is suitably secured Within the casing 9. Threaded rods 14 passing through the head 7 engage bosses 15 formed on the plate 13 and securely clamp the parts together.

One of the rods is of tubular form as illustrated at 16 and forms a connection between the distributing chamber 12 and the atmos Mid phere so that saidchamber 12 is always subject to atmospheric pressure.

On the under side of the head 7, there is a dependent annular flange 17, to which is secured a dependent tubular member 18 which forms a controlling chamber 19 concentric with the suction chamber 11. In a centrally disposed boss 20 of the head 7, there is arranged a guide tube 21, the upper end of which forms a valve seat 22 for a valve 23.

d The spindle 24 of the valve 23 extends downwardly through the guide tube 21 and a in its lower end bears a plate or disk 25 upon with the suction chamber 11. The port 33 is provided with a check valve 31 which serves to prevent danger from back fire and also serves to maintain proper degrees of suction in the suction chamber 11, provided the device is used with single cylinder engines or engines of very low speed, where the suction of the cylinders causes rapid variations and fluctuations in the suction.

, Centrally arranged in the separating plate 13 is a dependent pipe 35 which has ad acent to its lower end and at one side, a tubular valve seat 36 upon which rests a valve member 37 suitably arranged to move upon supports 38 and serving as a check valve between the fluid of the suction chamber 11 and that of the distributin chamber 12.

This particular form 0 valve has advantages in that the thin-walled tubing 36 formingthe valve seat, coiiperates with the valve member 37 to give a minimum valve surface and thus reduces the amount of adhesion, and cohesion between the surfaces due to the fluid in which the valve is immersed. With an ordinary type of check valve, the back pressure or resistance caused by the weight of the valve itself and the inherent factor of cohesion would be so great as to necessitate a lowering of the valve in the device to secure proper action. By using the type of valve shown, the total height of the entire structure may be very much reduced.

As illustrated in the drawings, there is shown to be a diflerence in level of the fuel in the suction chamber 11 and the distributing chamber 12 which diflerence in level dicate the conditions when the level of the controlling chamber 19 has lowered sufficiently to operate the float and close the valve 23. The depression or suction is just beginning to take place in the suction chamber 11 and the fluid has just stopped flowing from the suction chamber 11 into th distributing chamber 12.

With the above understanding of the arrangement of parts, it will be quite apparent that as a suction is induced from the manifold through the pipe 6,,the checkvalve 34: will be raised and there will be a reduced pressure in the suction chamber 11 and controlling chamber 19. Thereupon, fuel will be drawn in through the pipe 5 to said chamber 11. During. this operation, the valve 23 will remain closed.

As soon as the fuel level in the suction chamber 11 rises to a suflicient degree, it will seal the inverted cup or tube 18 and its controlling chamber 19 which contains the float 26. As the liquid continues to rise in the suction chamber 11, this seal is maintained. TIhe rise of level in the suction chamber 11 will be more rapid than that of the controlling chamber 19 due to this liquid seal and there being no direct and continued suction in the controlling chamber. Of course, the level in the controllin chamber 19 rises and when it has reache height, the float 26 will have sufiicient buoyancy to raise the valve 23 through its connecting stem 24. I

- Thereupon, atmospheric pressure is admitted through the ports 29, 30 and 31 to the chamber 11.

The suction port 33 permits the suction of the manifold to act constantly upon the suction chamber 11 but this is so small in comparison with the vali e 23 that when the latter is fully opened, the opening is large enough to break the suction in the chamber 11 and maintain atmospheric pressure therein. v i

The lower distributingchamber 12 is al ways under atmospheric pressure through the conduit 16 and as the suction chamber 11 is submitted to atmospheric pressure by the opening of the valve 23, there is an equalization of pressure between the chambers 11, 12. Thereupon, the fuel in the suction chamber 11 will flow into the distributing chamber 12 through the dependent tube 35 and check valve 37 under the action of gravity.

As soon as the level of the suction chamber 11 has dropped below the lower edge of the inverted tube 18, the liquid seal between the suction chamber 11 and the controlling a predeterminedv chamber 19 is broken and atmospheric pressure is admitted to the chamber 19. Thereupon, said. chamber 19 will dump its entire contents of liquid into the chamber 11, said chamber 11 being under atmospheric condition, at the same time, the float 26 will drop and thus close the valve 23. The action of dumping the contents of the chamber 19, is very similar to the action of raising a partially fllled tumbler out of a body of liquid.

Immediately, a suction will occur in the suction chamber 11 andcontrolling chamber 19 and the liquid will cease flowing from said chamber 11 into the lower distributing chamber 12. The suction or vacuum now being active, will draw more liquid from the main reservoir A into the suction chamber 11 and the operation will be repeated.

The flow from the distributing chamber 12 .to the carbureter has heretofore been described and it will be observed from the above that there is a constant and automatic adjustment of pressures in the chambers 11 and 19 which in conjunction with the float controls the air valve 23 and the flow of liquid to the suction chamber 11 and from said chamber 11 to the distributing chamber 12.

The single valve 23 with its float controls the whole system due to the fact that said float is arranged within the controlling chamber 19 and which, in turn, is controlled by the liquid seal of the fuel in the suction chamber 11.

After the fuel is once raised into the suc tion chamber 11, the entire feed to the carburcting mechanism and back to the fuel supply tank is by gravity.

The inverted cup, providing the controlling chamber 19 is of course, quite an essential feature, inasmuch as this, with the float and valve, controls the entire operation. Were it not for said chamber 19, it is obvious that the level rising in the suction chamber 11 would lift the float 26 and open the valve 23 and immediately this was opened, it would counteract the suction in said chamber 11 so that there would not be a suflicient depression to draw further fuel from the tank but at the same time, there would be suflicient depression to prevent the liquid in the suction :chamber 11 dropping to the lower distributing chamber 12.

\Vith the inverted cup and controlling chamber 19, the level rises in the suction chamber 11 until it seals the controlling chamber 19, which up to this point is subject to thesame suction as the chamber 11. Then as the level increases sufficiently in the controlling chamber 19 and at a slower rate than in the chamber .11, the valve 23 opens slightly, increasing the pressure in the chamber 11. With this increase of pressure, the liquid rises still farther in the regulating chamber 19 to offset the difference in pressure between the two chambers 19 and 11. Thereupon, the float 26 also rises, further opening the valve 23. This continues until the valve is fully opened.

It will be observed that there is no dead center when the liquid drops into the lower distributing chamber 12, for the level in the chamber 19 does not change,'while the level in the suction chamber 11 is lowered to the point of breaking the seal. When the seal is broken between the chambers 19 and 11, the level of liquid in the chamber 19 instantly drops and this drop is sufficient to cause the float to effectually close the valve 23.

It will be observed that there are no springs or balance valves or mechanisms necessary to secure this positive operation and the whole system is effectually controlled and operated by the pneumatic influence upon the liquid and float and through a single valve. It is understood, of course, that the tubular guide 21 is hermetically sealed into the flange 20 so that the chamber 19 is made air-tight, except when the liquid seal at its lower end is broken.

Obviously, the exact form and arrangement of the various parts of the mechanism might be varied to a considerable extent without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and the exact form of valves illustrated is not imperative.

It will be observed that even'with variasures, will immediately provide for constancy of conditions in the device and a definite level may always be maintained in the distributing chamber 12. by proportioning the outlet of said chamber to deliver an adequate supply for maximum consumption of the engine and an over-flow to carry off all excess when the consumption is below maximum, that a constant level may be maintained in the carbureter, thus doing, away with all moving parts and insuring a gravity feed throughout the system.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fuel feeding and carbureting mechanism in combination, a fuel supply tank, at a low level, a constant level car 11- reter chamber at a higher level, an over-flow communicating from said chamber to the fuel tank, and a vacuum feed device for said carbureter chamber at a level higher than the carbureter, said vacuum feed embodying, a suction chamber, a distributing chamber, a control chamber, and a float cooperatively related with the suction and control chambers, an atmospheric valve controlled by said float and controlling admission of air to the suction chamber, and a connection between the suction chamber and distributing chamber, the latter chamber being under atmospheric pressure.

2 In a fuel feeding and carbureting mechanism in combination, a fuel supply tank, at a low level, a constant level carbureter chamber at a higher level, an over- It follows, that flow communicating from said chamber to the fuel tank, and a vacuum feed device for said carburetor chamber at a level higher than the carbureter, said vacuum feed cmbodying, a suction chamber, a distributing chamber, a control chamber, and a float cooperatively related with the suction and control chambers, an atmospheric valve controlled by said float and'controlling admission of air to the suction chamber, a connection extending from the suction chamber into the distributing chamber, the latter chamber being under atmospheric pressure, and a valve at the lower end of the connection, said valve held to its seat while the suction chamber is under reduced atmospheric pressure and opened under the action of gravity when the suction chamber is open to atmospheric pressure.

3. A vacuum feed device having a suction chamber, a distributing chamber, and a control chamber, said control chamber and suction chamber being separated, or connected as the level of a liquid in the suction chamber rises or falls, to effect or break a liquid seal between said chambers, an atmospheric valve, and a float for controlling said valve, said valve and float controlling the level of the liquid, whereby the liquid seal is formed or broken between the suction and control chambers.

4,. A vacuum feed device having a suction chamber, to which a liquid is raised under the action of suction, coiiperatively related means for distributing said liquid under the action of gravity, and a control chamber, said control chamber and suction chamber being separated or connected as the level of a liquid in the suction chamber changes, to form or break a liquid seal between said chambers, an atmospheric valve controlling an atmospheric inlet to the suction chamber, and a float controlling said valve and influenced in its control by the control chamber and the making and breaking of the liquid seal.

A vacuum feeding device consisting of a suction chamber, a distributing chamber connected therewith, said distributing chamber open to the atmosphere, a check valve intermediate the suction chamber and distributing chamber, a controlling chamber within the suction chamber, a float projecting into the said controlling chamber, the controlling chamber ari ing upon the breaking of the liquid seal between the suction chamber and controlling chamber to release the float, an air port communicating with the suction chamber, a valve controlled by arass? of a casing divided into a suction chamber and a, distributing chamber the latter under atmospheric. pressure, the former subject to suction, a controlling chamber arranged within. the suction chamber and closed against atmospheric pressure upon a rise of level in the suction chamber, an atmospheric port for the suction chamber and a valve controlling said port and means Within the control chamber connected with the valve for controlling said valve.

. 7. In a device of the character described, a vacuum producing device, asuction chamber communicating therewith, a distributing chamber connected with the suction chamber, a liquid supply tank connected with the suction chamber adapted to raise the level of liquid and adapted to supply liquid to the said chamber when the latter is under suction, a. control chamber opening at its lower end to the vacuum chamber and arranged to be sealed by a rise of liquid in said chamber, a float in said control chamber, a valve controlled thereby, and an atmospheric port for the suction chamber controlled by the valve, said float and valve adapted to break the suction in the suction chamber upon a predetermined rise of the level of liquid within the suction and control chambers.

8. In a device of the character described, a tubular casing having a head with an annular groove, and an interior partition dividing the easing into a vacuum chamber and a distributing chamber, means intermediate the head and partition for securing the parts together, and a control chamber opening only at its bottom to the vacuum chamber and receiving atmospheric pressures therefrom, a float within said control chamber, an atmospheric valve exterior thereto and controlled by the float and adapted to vary the vacuum of the vacuum chamber, a liquid supply tank connected with the vacuum chamber and means for producing a vacuum. in said vacuum chamber.

9. In a device of the character described, a casing, a separating plate dividing said casing into an upper and a lower chamber, said lower chamber always open to atmospheric pressure, a conduit projecting below said separating plate and having a check valve controlling communication thereof with the upper chamber, suction connections for the upper chamber, a fuel supply conduit connected with the upper chamber, a control chamber arranged interiorly of the upper chamber and subject to atmospheric pressures only upon abnormal lowering of the level of liquid of the suction chamber, a float arranged in said control chamber. an atmospheric valve exterior to the control chamber and controlled by said float, and a port controlled by the valve and communicating with the upper exterior chamber.

10. A vacuum feed mechanism consisting of a main casing having a suction chamber and a distributing chamber fed thereby, the latter open to atmosphere, a control chamber within the suction chamber open only at its 5 lower edge and controlled by varying pressures causing a rise and fall of the level of liquid in the suction chamber, an atmospheric connection for the suction chamber,

a float Within said control chamber, a valve 10 connected with said float and actuated thereby, said valve opening and closing the atmospheric connection to the suction chamber dependent upon the rise and fall of liquid in the suction. chamber and control chamber, and means for producing suction 15 in said suction chamber.

JOSEPH C. COULOMBE. Witnesses:

JOSEPH A. LEGARE, JOHN A. MCKENNA. 

